“Alan embarks on a 100-mile hitchhike to see his mother in the hospital. Along the way he must confront his many demons – both living and dead – and in the end make the ultimate choice that will mean life or death for him and his mother!”

Early 2014(?), the Blockbuster in South Pasadena was getting read to shut its doors, which meant a million DVDs were gonna be on-sale. I loaded up with a lot of trashy horror, a few documentaries and some really bad Christian films, because that’s just what I do. There were a few gems, or movies I at least wanted to give a chance. This was one of them because I’m a big King and Garris fan. I haven’t read this novella, so we’re going in blind.

Thoughts:

Mick Garris is the authority. Love that guy.

Alan draws like Bernie Wrightson…hey…wait a sec…

My tagline for this flick: “If you liked the Summer of ’69, you’re definitely going to enjoy the Halloween of ’69!”

I can’t. I can’t watch anything with a razor blade or shaving. And this isn’t shaving.

Whoa, that bathroom scene.

This flick is so goofy. The tone is so odd.

I can’t imagine what hitchhiking is like. Even getting into a Lyft freaks me out.

I dig Alan’s split personality thing.

While I haven’t read this novella, I feel like Garris has such a way of visualizing King’s words in his other projects. This one feels goofy but genuine and reflective.

There are portions of the flick that feel like creepypasta.

Oh man, this was King’s internet debut? Fascinating.

Alan can’t catch a break, 2 for 2 drivers almost in head on collisions.

I think Alan was just dropped off in downtown Haddonfield from Halloween II.

Road rage incidents are my nightmare. Watching this movies makes me realize I’m actually a big wuss who is afraid of a lot of stuff, mainly confrontation and hiding in refrigerators.

AND THEN HE HID IN A REFRIGERATOR. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.

Both King and Garris have such a way of building fear and dread, even in silly premises.

Man, I don’t know what’s going on anymore.

Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion David Arquette!

“That’s about as funny as a screen door in a submarine.” DUDE, GREAT LINE.

Nicotero and Berger effects are so clutch.

It feels like this conversation between Alan and George is supposed to be deeper but I don’t quite…oh, okay, we’re “Riding The Bullet” now. Nevermind.

The soundtrack in this is so rad.

Arquette is underrated.

Shit’s kinda falling apart for me. Though “Thrill Village” is a great amusement park name.

Thrill Village scene is fun.

MICK CAMEO.

“A little bit of death can help you grow up real quick.”

Alright, the last 10 minutes are gorgeous.

“I never made a living as an artist, but I still paint because that’s what I do.” God bless it.

The Verdict:

I enjoyed the first half of it and I thought a lot of the visuals were great throughout. Then the story got stale and sort of fell apart on me. I could’ve done without so much back and forth in Alan’s head. But right at the end, that final hospital scene, absolutely beautiful. Made me almost not mind all that confusion I had through most of the last act. Garris has got a way of visualizing that emotion that King dives into so deeply. Yeah, man, those last 10 minutes. Really stuck it to me. I really, really didn’t think I was going to like the rest of the flick once I got all confused in the middle. You can even see it in my thoughts up top. But that emotional ending. Worth it.